Charity supports mum’s water safety campaign

Gaynor Clarke

An educational water safety charity has given its support to a grieving mum’s campaign to teach youngsters about the dangers of swimming in open water.

The Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) is joining forces with Beckie Ramsay, who launched the Doing It For Dylan campaign after the death of her son.

Dylan Ramsay, 13, died in July 2011 at a quarry in Whittle-le-Woods, near Chorley.

Beckie, of Church Hill, Whittle-le-Woods, has worked tirelessly since then to raise awareness about the dangers of swimming outdoors, touring the country to give talks.

The STA has now offered to donate water safety resources, such as activity packs and a water safety booklet.

At one of her latest talks at Longridge High School, the STA donated 300 booklets for year six children at 14 primary schools taking part in its annual Safety Town week.

“Rebecca is doing an incredible job and when we heard her story we wanted to get involved and offer our support. By working together, we believe we can make a difference and can save lives.”

Kayle Burgham

There are plans for further joint campaigns in 2016, as part of STA’s National Water Safety Week.

Kayle Burgham, STA’s technical manager for aquatics, said: “Rebecca is doing an incredible job and when we heard her story we wanted to get involved and offer our support. By working together, we believe we can make a difference and can save lives.”

Beckie said: “Hopefully by working together with STA, we can educate even more people across all age groups and eliminate many of the needless deaths. If by sharing my pain one family does not go through the same, then all my efforts have been worthwhile and Dylan died for others to live.”

Beckie has also set up a petition at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/108490 with the aim of making drowning prevention part of the national curriculum.